Sikh community bans entry of Indian officials into US, Canada gurudwaras

The Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast (SCCEC) and American Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (APGC) who claim to be the largest umbrella organisations of Sikh gurudwaras in the US have banned entry of Indian officials from 96 gurudwaras in the country.

The resolution banning the entry said, "Indian government officials and any person/s representing the interests of the Indian government, shall not be allowed to enter the US gurdwaras or to participate in any religious programmes."

The resolution was announced by Himmat Singh, coordinator of SCCEC, before the Sikh community at a gurudwara in Richmond Hill, New York on Sunday in a religious congregation that was organised to observe the death anniversary of Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh who were sentenced to death following the killing of former prime minister Indira Gandhi. 

The ban was imposed by the Sikh community as they consider the Indian government responsible for the June 1984 military invasion of Golden Temple in Amritsar and 40 other gurudwaras, among other things. 

The resolution said "The step is taken to ensure that the Gurudwara Sahib remains independent from the interference of the corrupt officials who represent a government that for the last four decades has committed genocide against the Sikh community and has never had positive intentions in dealing with Sikhs as a separate nation of people. "

The decision has been collectively made with the support of US-based group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). An SFG official was quoted as saying that they will take legal proceedings against those Indian diplomats who do not obey the ban. 

The ban has been put on Nagar kirtans or religious processions. 

Earlier 14 gurudwaras in Ontario, Canada banned the entry of Indian diplomatic officials.

The Indian officials can, however, visit the gurudwaras in their personal capacity.